Academy win against Abbey

The clouds gathered over Lily Hill Park this afternoon, and threatened a downpour throughout today's encounter however it never arrived but neither did the deluge of try's expected after the early exchanges of this East Berks Derby.

There was however much to be pleased with today, following a lacklustre performance last week. It's always hard to hit your straps against lesser opposition (no disrespect intended to Abbey), but at times Bracknell did just that, leading to spells of continuity that created opportunity. Opportunity did knock, but on at least 3 occasions in the form of knock-ons and a number of chances were lost which would have perhaps produced a scoreline that would have better reflected Bracknell's dominance.

Occasionally and understandably the pace of the game did drop, allowing Reading Abbey time to play - but these spells declined throughout as Bracknell turned the screw. Through these phases, Bracknell did became narrow in defence and over committed at the breakdown (3 men max lads remember) - better opposition will exploit these lapses in concentration, but perhaps, as the lads showed against a strong Ealing XV a couple of weeks ago, their focus will be maintained against better opposition.

Bracknell kicked off and within 2 minutes had taken the lead via a penalty line out in Bracknell's own hell-fire corner. Bracknell’s line out was good all day, and this set the platform for a catch and drive towards the Abbey line, the resultant phases created space out wide. The ball was moved swiftly and Jack McGee race into the corner. The conversion was missed from out wide.

Soon after Matt Bowers went close, but was held up - the pressure was now being turned up, and Abbey were about to wilt.

The next two scores summed up everything you look for in a progressive team - great continuity, support lines and command of the basics - it was great to watch.

From an attacking penalty line out, Ben Atkins peeled off and skittled through the Abbey midfield halted only by an excellent last-ditch tackle close to the line. Continuity is all about support lines, and Ben Clarke was on hand to receive the offload and score under the posts. Oscar Jackson converted, and Bracknell led 12-0.

The next score came from a loose clearance kick which was fielded by the free-running Matt Bowers - with some illusive running he made ground before linking with Ben Atkins who charged at the Abbey defence like a Pamplona Bull, Tom Hodge was on hand for the offload - continuity was maintained, and Abbeys defence became fragmented. The ball was moved left close to the line - an exquisite cut-out pass out from Ben Stevens gave Jack McGee a simple run in for his second - the conversion was missed and at half time Bracknell lead 17-0.

There was so much good in the half, the scores were well constructed and executed with some finesse, but the half was far from perfect and we, as a group are striving for some high standards.

With 10 changes to the starting XV Bracknell continued their dominance, however a couple of early scoring chances weren't taken when wide passes went to ground. Abbey now began to pick up some injuries and the half became fragmented and littered with restarts. Finally, James Taylor broke Bracknell's 2nd half duck to increase the lead to 22-0.

This was last action of any note, with injury to an Abbey front row player, stimulating the referee to call a halt to proceedings a little earlier than expected.

The was much to be pleased with today, not least the spells of continuity, line speed in defence and commitment to the tackle. Well done lads, and a huge thanks for Oscar Jackson who did play 10 minutes in opposition colours - that the spirit of rugby.

This was another large squad representing Bracknell RFC U18’s again today, and it's a squad that is gelling very nicely. There is much competition for places, and a good number of quality players to return following injury, so selection for the first league fixtures is going to be a real challenge - but this is an excellent headache to have. Keep up the good work lads, keep focusing hard on our work-ons and the rewards will come. It's going to be blast.

#GoBRFC